Lovingly known as “Colonel”
21 June 1950 — 3 November 2026 · aged 76
Retired army Lieutenant Colonel, strict on parade and soft-hearted at home
Machakos, Kenya Born in Kangundo, Machakos County Resting at Family farm, KangundoIt is with deep sorrow and humble acceptance of God's will that we announce the passing on of Lt. Col. (Rtd) DANIEL MUTHAMA MUTISO on 3rd November 2026 at Machakos Level 5 Hospital. Husband of the late Mary Nduku; father to Kyalo, Ndinda and Mwende; father-in-law to Winnie and Joseph; grandfather to eight; brother to many. Family and friends meet daily at Kangundo, Machakos, at 5.00 pm. Cortege leaves Machakos Funeral Home on Saturday 21st November at 7.30 am for a funeral service with military honours at AIC Kangundo Church, followed by interment at the family farm. M-Pesa Paybill 370455, Account COLONEL. Rest in peace, Colonel.
On parade, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Muthama Mutiso demanded that every boot shine and every button hold. At home, the same man hummed Kamba hymns while peeling oranges for his grandchildren. Those who knew only one of these men were always surprised by the other.
He was born in Kangundo in June 1950, one of nine children of a cattle keeper, and left for the Kenya Army in 1971 with one change of clothes and a Bible. He trained at the Kenya Military Academy, served at Lanet and Gilgil, and rose through the ranks with a reputation for fairness. In 2000 he commanded a Kenyan contingent in the United Nations mission in Sierra Leone, and he spoke of the village children there with a tenderness that surprised his men.
Daniel retired in 2005 and returned to Kangundo, where he planted mangoes, pawpaws and passion fruit on a hillside farm. He led the Kangundo Fruit Growers Cooperative for twelve years and helped it secure its first export contract. He walked every morning at five, greeted every neighbour by name, and was often seen on Sundays at AIC Kangundo reading the first lesson in a voice that made even the children sit upright.
His wife Mary Nduku, a nurse at Kenyatta National Hospital, died in August 2023, and he never fully recovered from the loss; he kept her photograph beside his Bible and spoke to it each evening. He died at Machakos Level 5 Hospital on 3 November 2026 after a short illness.
He is survived by his children Kyalo, Ndinda and Mwende, and by eight grandchildren who will long remember the taste of his oranges.
“Discipline is love that shows up on time.”
Saturday, 21 November 2026 at 07:00 UTC
Add to calendarComing together to honour Daniel and support the family.
Funeral arrangements, military protocol liaison and burial beside his late wife.
Daily at the family home, Kangundo, 5.00 pm
Contact: Maj. Kyalo Muthama Mutiso
$47.50 raised of $4,651.16
Veterans arranging the guard of honour and contributing for the family.
Machakos Town Hall, Thursdays 3.00 pm
Contact: Brig. (Rtd) Peter Wekesa
$85.50 raised of $2,325.58
Prayer evenings, tent and seating for the funeral service.
Church compound, Wednesdays 5.00 pm
Contact: Pastor Mutua Ngei
$95 raised of $775.19
Members supplying mangoes and passion fruit for the funeral catering.
Cooperative offices, Kangundo, Fridays 4.00 pm
Contact: Kioko Mwanzia
$28.50 raised of $1,162.79
Sign in to start a committee or join one to support the family.
Memorial fund
Support the family with the funeral and burial costs for the Colonel, laid to rest beside his beloved wife.
$394.25 raised of $6,000
7%12 recent contributions
Peter Odhiambo gave $47.50 · 19h ago
“Mungu awape nguvu.”
Pastor Mutua Ngei gave $9.50 · 2d ago
Samuel Kamau gave $95 · 3d ago
“Pole sana kwa familia.”
Mary Makena gave $47.50 · 3d ago
“With love from the diaspora.”
Mutinda Kavita gave $14.25 · 4d ago
Kenya Military Academy cadet course
Kenya Military Academy1971 – 1973 · Lanet
Commissioned as Second Lieutenant.
Officer, Kenya Army
Kenya Defence Forces1973 – 2005 · Gilgil, Lanet and Nairobi
Rose to Lieutenant Colonel across more than thirty years of service.
United Nations peacekeeping contingent
UNAMSIL2000 – 2001 · Sierra Leone
Led Kenyan troops in the peacekeeping mission.
Married Mary Nduku
1978 – 2023 · Machakos
A marriage of forty-five years.
Chairman
Kangundo Fruit Growers Cooperative2008 – 2020 · Kangundo
Secured the cooperative's first export contract for mangoes.
Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear
Republic of Kenya2004 · Nairobi
For distinguished service to the nation.
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Also remembered on Evermore
Daniel is survived by
6 people have shared a memory of Daniel.
Knew Daniel? Share a memory with the family and everyone who loved them.
Sign in to write a tributeNeighbour and friend
We walked the Kangundo road together at five every morning for years. I never once beat him to the gate. I hope heaven has a long hill and good company.
Niece in Atlanta
Uncle Dan sent me a card every birthday from wherever he was posted, even Sierra Leone, written in perfect handwriting. I kept them all. Please let Aunt Mary know he is on his way.
Son
Father taught me to stand straight and to say sorry quickly. I learnt both from watching him at my mother's grave. I will salute you every morning, Dad.
AIC Kangundo
Every Sunday he read the first lesson as though the Lord himself were in the room. We shall miss the Colonel's voice and his orange peels on the church steps.
Vice-chairman, Kangundo Fruit Growers
The Colonel taught us to grade mangoes like soldiers: no bruised fruit on parade. Thanks to him our members now earn three times what they did. The cooperative is his greatest monument.
Fellow officer, Kenya Army
We were cadets together at Lanet in 1971. Daniel was the one who ironed his uniform twice and shared his bread once. He led from the front and never forgot his men. Salute, brother.
